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13 Italian Cocktails For Your Next Happy Hour

Looking for an Italian apertif for your next happy hour? You've come to the right place. From classics (like this basic limoncello recipe) to our twists on traditional drinks (OK, so they probably didn't sip La Croix “Backwards” Bellinis during the Renaissance), you're going to want to bookmark this collection of Italian cocktail recipes.

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Beet Negroni

A splash of beet juice not only mellows out bitter Italian Campari, but also gives this aperitif an alluring earthy undertone and a deep purple hue. Serve with olives and cheese for your most sophisticated beachside happy hour yet.

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Raspberry Rosé Bellini

Raspberry Rosé Bellini
RecipeThis simple and elegant spring cocktail is the perfect accompaniment to a special brunch spread, such as our Ultimate Eggs Benedict
. Though the recipe was developed with Mother’s Day in mind, the rosé simple syrup used to create this cocktail offers a multitude of delicious possibilities any day of the week.

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La Croix “Backwards” Bellini

Sara Tane

La Croix “Backwards” Bellini
RecipeRather than a traditional bellini, which consists of fresh peach purée and Prosecco or sparkling wine, we flip-flopped the bubbly beverages and opted for a sparkling peach seltzer (such as La Croix) along with a sweet white wine, like Riesling or Moscato.

Rossini Bellini

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Limoncello

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Limoncello RecipeLimoncello is good ice-cold on its own, but it's also delicious in a lemon drop martini, mixed with sparkling wine, or splashed over a bowl of fresh fruit. Since it takes two weeks to infuse the bracing citrusy flavor into the vodka, start this gift early and decant it into pretty sterilized glass bottles.

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Strawberry Bellini

The original version of this cocktail hails from Harry's Bar in Venice. Our rendition substitutes strawberries for the traditional peaches. You can prepare the strawberry base up to one day ahead. Make sure to give it another spin in the blender just before mixing the cocktails.